Switching device for operating a plurality of switches in sequence with ambient temperature compensation

ABSTRACT

A switching device for operating a plurality switch means sequentially wherein the operators of each of the switch means are engaged by a wobble plate at spaced positions around the periphery of the plate. A thermal operator comprising a heated bimetal has an output member for engaging the center of the wobble plate to apply a force on the plate and thus a force on each of the switch operators depending upon distance between the output member and the switch operator. The wobble plate is made of plurality of bimetal sheet members to bend in a cup shaped manner upon changes in temperature to provide ambient temperature compensation for the switching device.

United States Patent Ball et al.

[54] SWITCHING DEVICE FOR OPERATING A PLURALITY OF SWITCHES IN SEQUENCE WITH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION [72] Inventors: Thomas E. Ball, Anoka; Vincent-R.

Anderson, Wayzata, both of Minn.

731 Assignee: Honeywell Inc., Minneapolis, Mind. 221 Filed: Marcus, 1971 211 Appl.No.:12 5,673

521' u.s.ci. .337/101, 200/5 c.20011s, I 337/340 511 Int.Cl...; ..H01h 11/22 [58] Field of Search .2200/5 C, 18, 67 D; 337/44,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,529,105 9/1970 Huffman ..200/67 D 2,978,548 4/1961 Pettit ..200/l8 X 2,813,160 11/1957 Tong "4200/18 1,952,040 3/1934 Frank et al ..337/l0l UX 3,052,788 9/1962 Peters ..,.'..337/44 X 2,942,081 Ramsey et al ..337/l0l X 2,689,290 9/1954 Mertler ..337/340 2,776,797 111957 Suesserott... .;....337/364 X 2,840,664 6/1958 Anderson et al. ..337/l0l 2,675,435 Framhein ..'...200/5 C UX Primary Exa'miner -Bernard A. Gilheany Assistant Examiner-F. E. Bell Attorney--Lamont B. Koontz and Clyde C. Blinn [57] ABSTRACT A switching device for operating a plurality switch means sequentially wherein the operators of each of the switch means are engaged by a wobble plate at spaced positions around the periphery of the plate. A thermal operator comprising a heated bimetal has an output member for engaging the center of the wobble plate to apply a force on the plate and thus a force on each of the switch operators depending upon distance between the output member and the switch operator. The wobble plate'is made of plurality of bimetal sheet members to bend in a cup-shaped manner upon changes in'temperature to provide ambient temperature compensation for the switching device.

A 7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures mmcnnmlm 5.101. 62

'F/al' l'IIIIII/I/I/j/ll/I/ I/ l I vl/II I I J I// I [III I III- as 1o INVENTOR THOMAS E. BALL 7 V/ CENT R D RSON arromsx swIrcIIINc DEVICE FOR OPERATING A PLURALIMTY or SWITCHES IN SEQUENCE WITH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION BACKGROUND AND'SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As electric heating for homes becomes more popular, the need for an inexpensive switching'device to sequentially operate a plurality of stages of electric heating-to prevent a sudden demand on the power source has been recognized. While step controllers, or motor driven switching devices and semiconductor I switching devices with time delay mechanisms are commonly used, competition continually requires that apparatus for such ause be not only improved but made lessexpensive.

The present invention provides for a switching device for operating a plurality of switches in a' timed sequence -and for ambient temperature compensation 1 temperature surrounding the switching device varies, the plate will change shape to change the necessarydimensions; so that, regardless of the ambient temperature, the timing between the sequential switch operations remains substantially the same. The invention is described in the specification by referring to the drawings of which F IG. 1 is a top view of the switching device with the cover and main portion of each of the switches removed to only show the switch'op'erators engaging the plate; i 1 I FlG.'2 is a 'side view of a switching device with a portion cut away to show the switch operators and one switch with the wobble plate and thermal operator; and FIG. 3is an enlarged view. of the plate which is made of a plurality of bimetal sheets to which a force is applied by the output member'from the thermal operator.

DESCRIP TlON OF THE lNVENTlON Referring to FIG. 1, a base, housing or enclosure contains a plurality of switch means or devices (not shown) operated when triangularly spaced switch operators or pins l1, l2 and '13 are moved in a direction perpendicular to the drawing. The switch means are Of a conventional type, as shown at 14 in FIG. 2 associated with operator 11, wherein upon operator 11 moving downward to release the force which is applied to blade 15, a switch made of movable contact. and fixed contact 21 closes to close a circuit adapted tosupply power to an electric heater of a furnace. Y

Operators 11, I2 and 13 as shown in FIG. 1 are engaged around the periphery of an ambient temperature responsive compensating means or' wobble plate member 22 which distributes a force applied to wobble plate 22 by an output member 23 protruding through plate 22 near its center. Member 23 is piloted in a hole in the upper part of the housing, shown at 24 in FIG. 2.

v 2 Member 23 has a high point at shoulder 25for engaging the under side of wobble plate 22 to apply a force to plate 22 at a definite or fixed position throughout the operation of the switching device.

Member 23 moves up and down to apply a force to plate 22 upon the movement of a thermal operator means or bimetal 30 which is heated by an electric heater 31. Bimetal 30 is supported at its end or extremities 32 and 33 in housing 10. Specifically end 33isheld by a movable bracket 34 which is positioned when a factory calibration screw 35 adjusted to position the bracket. Heater 31 is energized by applying power to wires 40 and 41. The heat, which is confined in the enclosure 42 made of an insulating paper, causes bimetal 30 and member 23 to bend downward to remove the force from plate 22. v e

Specifically plate 22 is made up of a plurality of sheets of bimetal as shown in FIG.3. The sheets are assembled with the high side or side of thebimetal which expands the greatest upon a temperature change downward in the direction of shoulder 25 of member 23. When the bimetal sheets change in temperature due to the change in the ambient temperature surrounding housing 10, plate 22 bends with the center OPERATION OF THE INVE TION Referring to FIG. 2, normally with bimetal 30 cold, tha'tis heater 31 not energized, an upward force is applied to member 23 to cause an upward force to be applied to the switch operating pins 11 12 and 13 shown in FIG. l to Operate the associated switches to an open.

position. As heater 31 is energized, member 23 moves downward depending upon the position of the end 33 of the bimetal 23 previously determined by the calibration screw 35. Upon the downward movement. of member 23, force is removed from the ends of pins ll, 12 and 13 to operate theswitches. The relative operating forces of each of the switches can be preselected, as well as the length of the lever arm between member 23 and the pivot of theplate 22. The switches can be preselected to operate in'a sequence to first close the switch associated with pin 11, then 12 and finally l3. Specifically the force applied to pin 11 by plate 22 is accomplished by the plate pivoting along a line between pins 12 and 13. When switch 14 associated with pin 1 1 operates the force then shifts. Plate 22 then pivots about a line between pin's lland 13 to operate the switch associated with pin 12. By the design of the length of the lever armand the force required for operating the switches and the movement of bimetal 30, a predetermined times sequence of operation of the switches associated with members ll, 12 and 13 is obtained. v

As ambient temperature changes, plate 22 changes shape. Assuming that. the ambient temperature decreases which might be the case if the switching device was placed in an unheated compartment below the floor in the house, plate 22 moves so that the center portion adjacent shoulder 25, as shown in FlG. 2,

ward, resulting in no net change in the position of operators ll, 12 and 13. With temperature compensat ing plate 22,'t he timed sequence of operation of the switches associated with operators ll, 12 and 13 remains the same upon changes in the ambient temperature.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or right is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A switching device comprising: at least two switch means each having an operator to which a force is-applied to operate said switch means, thermal operator means having an output member for providing a force when said operator means is energ'ized,.and ambient temperature responsive means connecting said output memberv of said thermal operator meansto said operators of the switch means for applying a force to each of said operators for operating said switch means in sequence,

said ambient temperature responsive means comprises a bimetal to which said force of said output member of said operator means is applied at a point of contact between the points of contact on said bimetal of said operators of said switch means to operate said switch means. 2 A switching device comprising:

at least two switch means each having an operator to which a force is applied to operate said switch means,

thermal operator means having an output member for providing a force when said operator means is energized,an'dambient temperature responsive means connecting said output member of said thermal operator means to said operators of the switch means for applying a force to each of said operators for operating said switch means in sequence,

said two switch means are spaced apart to have said operators a first predetermined distance apart,

said thermal operator means being a heated bimetal supported at both ends and having said output member attached near the center of said bimetal,

said ambient temperature responsive means being a second bimetal member for engaging said operators near the extremities of said second bimetal member, and

said output member engaging said second bimetal member at a position within said predetermined distance whereby with a predetermined force needed on each of said operators to operate each of said switch means, a timed sequential operation of said switch means is obtained as a force at said output member increases. I

3. A switching device comprising at least three switch means each having an operator to which force is applied to operate said switch means, said operators being spaced triangularly,

and operating means for providing a force on an out- 7 put member, and

temperature responsive wobble plate means connecting said operating means and said switch v means'and bein res onsive to ambient temperature wherein san wo ble plate means engages said operators and said output member applies a force to said plate means to be distributed to said operators for operating said switch means in a selected sequence regardless of any changes in ambient temperature.

4. The invention of claim 4 wherein said output member has a high point for engaging said wobble plate means whereby said force is applied to a predetermined point on said wobble plate throughout the operation-of said'switchmeans. 5. A switching device comprising at least three switch means each having-an'operator to which force is applied to operate said switch means, said operators being spaced triangularly, and operating means for providing a force on an output member, and

wobble plate means connecting said operating means and said switch means wherein said wobble plate means engages said operators and said output member applies a force to said plate means to be distributed to said operators for operating said switch means in a selected sequence,

said switch means'are snap acting switches mounted in a base member with said three operators protruding from one side of said base member,

said operating means comprising a heated bimetal attached at its extremities to said base member,

said output member being a drive pin passing through a hole in a heat barrier separating said operating member from said switch means to engage said wobble plate means,

said wobble plate means comprising a temperature responsive bimetal member substantially uneffected by the heat applied to said operating means to only respond to changes in ambient temperature for changing the distance between an end of said drive pin and the ends of said operators whereby upon said temperature responsive member being engaged by said drive pin and said operators a predetermined sequence of operation of said switch means is obtained uneffected by changes in ambient temperature.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said drive pin is piloted at one extremity in a hole in said base member and engages said heated bimetal between its extremities,

said drive pin has a shoulder between in extremities,

and

said wobble plate having a hole therethrough for receiving said drive pin whereby said shoulder engages said wobble plate to apply said force to said wobble plate at a predetermined point on said wobble plate throughout the operation of said switch means.

7.-The invention of claim' 7 wherein said temperature responsive member of said wobble DETACH HERE BEFORE MAILiNG THE TYPED CERTIFICATETO THE PATENT 0FFlCE--"-" UNITED STATES MTENT OFFICE CERTHECATE 0F QORRECTION Patent No. I 3,701,962 Dated, October 31, 1972 lnventofls) Thomas E. Ball at al It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In Column 4, line 8, after "claim" delete "4" and insert therefor-3-. In Column 4, line 58, after "claim" delete "7" and insert the refor--6-.'

si ned-and sealed't i 23 day 'P f E (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD MmLErcamm R; f c MARSHALUDANN Atte-sting Officer I "Commissioner" of Patents DETACl-l HERE BEFORE MAIUNG THE TYPED CERTIFECATE TO THE PATENT OFFICE---'--| UTED STATES MTENT OFFECE CEHMCATE 0F CQRREQTION October 31, 1972 Patent No. 3 701, 962 Dated Inventofls) Thomas E, Ball et al It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In Column 4, line 8, after "claim" delete "4" and insert therefor--3-. In Column 4, line 58, after "claim" delete "7" and insert therefor--6--.

Signed and sealed'this 23 y f'APril 197 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD MJ LETM SRJRQ G. MARSHALL DAN'N Atte-sting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A switching device comprising: at least two switch means each having an operator to which a force is applied to operate said switch means, thermal operator means having an output member for providing a force when said operator means is energized, and ambient temperature responsive means connecting said output member of said thermal operator means to said operators of the switch means for applying a force to each of said operators for operating said switch means in sequence, said ambient temperature responsive means comprises a bimetal to which said force of said output member of said operator means is applied at a point of contact between the points of contact on said bimetal of said operators of said switch means to operate said switch means.
 2. A switching device comprising: at least two switch means each having an operator to which a force is applied to operate said switch means, thermal operator means having an output member for providing a force when said operator means is energized, and ambient temperature responsive means connecting said output member of said thermal operator means to said operators of the switch means for applying a force to each of said operators for operating said switch means in sequence, said two switch means are spaced apart to have said operators a first predetermined distance apart, said thermal operator means being a heated bimetal supported at both ends and having said output member attached near the center of said bimetal, said ambient temperature responsive means being a second bimetal member for engaging said operators near the extremities of said second bimetal member, and said output member engaging said second bimetal member at a position within said predetermined distance whereby with a predetermined force needed on each of said operators to operate each of said switch means, a timed sequential operation of said switch means is obtained as a force at said output member increases.
 3. A switching device comprising at least three switch means each having an operator to which force is applied to operate said switch means, said operators being spaced triangularly, and operating means for providing a force on an output member, and temperature responsive wobble plate means connecting said operating means and said switch means and being responsive to ambient temperature wherein said wobble plate means engages said operators and said output member applies a force to said plate means to be distributed to said operators for operating said switch means in a selected sequence regardless of any changes in ambient temperature.
 4. The invention of claim 4 wherein said output member has a high point for engaging said wobble plate means whereby said force is applied to a predetermined point on said wobble plate throughout the operation of said switch means.
 5. A switching device comprising at least three switch means each having an operator to which force is applied to operate said switch means, said operators being spaced triangularly, and operating means for providing a force on an output member, and wobble plate means connecting said operating means and said switch means wherein said wobble plate means engages said operators and said output member applies a force to said plate means to be distributed to said operators for operating said switch means in a selected sequence, said switch means are snap acting switches mounted in a base member with said three operators protruding from one side of said base member, said operating means comprising a heated bimetal attached at its extremities to said base member, said output member being a drive pin passing through a hole in a heat barrier separating said operating member from said switch means to engage said wobble plate means, said wobble plate means comprising a temperature responsive bimetal member substantially uneffected by the heat applied to said operating means to only respond to changes in ambient temperature for changing the distance between an end of said drive pin and the ends of said operators whereby upon said temperature responsive member being engaged by said drive pin and said operators a predetermined sequence of operation of said switch means is obtained uneffected by changes in ambient temperature.
 6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said drive pin is piloted at one extremity in a hole in said base member and engages said heated bimetal between its extremities, said drive pin has a shoulder between in extremities, and said wobble plate having a hole therethrough for receiving said drive pin whereby said shoulder engages said wobble plate to apply said force to said wobble plate at a predetermined point on said wobble plate throughout the operation of said switch means.
 7. The invention of claim 7 wherein said temperature responsive member of said wobble plate means comprises at least two sheets of bimetal whereby upon each of said sheets of bimetal bending with changes in ambient temperature said sheets slip with respect to each other. 